by PuReBrAt

Created on: December 29, 2008

Among the many things that tend to end up in the garbage at our home, dryer lint was one thing I did not even give a second thought about in terms of recycling. Endless candle votives with small amounts of wax came in with a close second. A friend gave me a solution to put both of these household items to good use; make a fire starter. It is very easy to make (although I would not recommend it for children) and best of all it cost little to nothing to make. Share this idea among friends and family and your sure to receive many thanks in return.

SUPPLIES - Dryer lint, wax (in votives, jars,etc.), ice-cube tray, baking sheet.

DIRECTIONS - Pre-heat your oven to 250 degrees. Place your candles on a cookie sheet leaving ample room between each container. Once your oven is heated, turn it off and then place the candles inside. It is crucial to turn the oven off so as to not shatter the glass! It should take approximately 10 to 15 minutes for the wax to melt completely.

While the wax is melting fill your ice-cube trays with your dryer lint. Fill them as full as possible due to the fact that the lint will absorb a large amount of wax. Keep some extra on the side because it will be used again towards the end of the process.

After the wax has melted completely, carefully remove the candle filled cookie sheet from the oven. Please use extreme caution as candle wax can cause a serious burn. Using an oven mitt, slowly pour the wax from the candles over the lint in the ice-cube trays. You may need to add more dryer lint at this point until a soft 'clay-like'appearance forms. Be sure and leave some lint on top as well, as this is how you will be able to light it. Let them cool completely at either room temperature or in a freezer on a cookie sheet. Remove the cubes from the tray when they are fully set-up and voila! You have a homemade fire starter! Place your fire starter in the center of your kindling and light using the lint left out from the top of the cube. In some instances, especially if it is windy, it may be necessary to wrap a sheet of newspaper around the fire starter and twisting together at the top. Proceed by placing in the center of the kindling and lighting the paper.

These are great for camping trips, bonfires, and even fireplaces. They are compact, light-weight, and a great way to recycle common discarded items. You have also given new life to your votives! Buying votive refills are less costly than the price of a single candle with a jar in most cases. Refill your candle jars and votives so when you're down to no wick and all wax you can make more fire starters. It is an endless cycle of recycling!

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